The 26th annual Canada's West Marketplace(r) trade show will be held in Whistler, between Nov. 25 and 28, 2013.

More than 300 Alberta and British Columbia tourism suppliers are expected to gather in Whistler next year to meet with more than 130 international tour operators and wholesalers from Europe, the Asia Pacific and the Americas.

"When it comes to marketing Western Canada as a tourist destination, our partnership with Alberta helps us stay ahead in an increasingly competitive global tourism environment," said Pat Bell, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training. "We are so proud to once again support Canada's premier tourism trade show, where British Columbian tourism companies have a unique chance to build relationships, sell their products and grow their businesses."

Established in 1989, the Canada's West Marketplace(r) trade show is a partnership between Travel Alberta and the tourism division of the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and is an annual forum for promoting Western Canada tourism products to international and domestic tour operators and buyers. Each year, the trade show alternates locations between Alberta and B.C.

"We look forward to building upon the success of the 25th annual Canada's West Marketplace(r) trade show this past November in Banff," said Bruce Okabe, CEO, Travel Alberta. "This trade show is the ideal forum to showcase our year-round destinations to travellers looking to create their own unique stories and experiences."

The Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training's tourism division promotes the Super, Natural British Columbia(r) brand to the world. For more information, please visit: www.gov.bc.ca/jtst

Travel Alberta is the tourism marketing agency of the government of Alberta. For more information on Travel Alberta, please visit: www.Industry.TravelAlberta.com

Contacts:

Media Relations
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour
250 356-8177

Jennifer Anderson
Travel Alberta
Director, Communications
587 894-2253